Keepalive: Mmm. Swine Flu.

written by Blain Newport on Thursday, September 10, 2009

Some of you already know there was some Swine Flu at PAX 2009. I've had some flu-like symptoms but nothing serious, and I've taken precautions (mostly just staying home) not to infect anyone (except my family who picked me up at the airport before we knew what was going on. Doh).

I haven't been gaming much. I played a little Mercs 2 as comfort food. I bought Braid since it was on sale for $5. It reminds me of Rock Band. With as much effort as it would take for me to master songs in Rock Band on Expert, I'd be better off spending time with a real instrument. With as clever as I'd have to be to solve some of the puzzles in Braid, I'd be better off programming my own game.

I also tried Hello Kitty Online. They were handing it out at PAX and it felt rude to refuse it after being asked to take one so nicely. But it probably would have been less rude than what I'm about to say.

I'll stick with Free Realms. It's just as free and more fun.

Hello Kitty Online does, however, have the distinction of having the longest one line copyright notice I've ever seen.

© 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 SANRIO CO., LTD.

Yeesh. Does this mean there were no Hello Kitty products created in 1978, 1980, 1983, 1997, and 2006-2008?

Anyway, time for some more water and food and rest. I cleaned out my fridge in anticipation of PAX and don't want to go to the supermarket full of flu. I've got some airplane snacks (yogurt raisins, and chocolate cranberries) and some pasta and canned sauce. But that stuff's getting old. I may just go pick up a face mask. :P

I also don't really want to play too many games. I remember ruining Phantasy Star II for myself by playing it sick. Now just looking at the pastel colors of the later worlds in that game makes me a little queasy. And sick or not, the Blood Walkthrough waits for no germ...